Vending machine



Feb. 25, 1964 c. E. REBURN 3,122,269

VENDING MACHINE C. E. REBURN VENDING MACHINE Feb. 2,5, 1964 7Sheets-Sheer??I 2 Filed June 9, 1960 ATTO/@V575 C. E. REBURN VENDINGMACHINE Feb. 25, 1964 Filed June 9, 1960 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

Blf/16M,

Feb. 25, 1964 Filed June 9, 1960 C. E. REBURN VENDING MACHINE llll X 7Sheets-Sheet 4 INII/ENTOR.

ANDRA/75 C. E. REBURN VENDING MACHINE Feb. 25, 1964 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5Filed June 9, 1960 INVENTOR.

Af/,Q55 5, ifaen/ C. E. REBURN VENDING MACHINE Feb. 25, 1964 Filed June9, 1960 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 C. E. REBURN VENDING MACHINE Feb. 25, 1964 7Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed June 9, 1960 Si y J, k@ Q mw Illi l m nu L f. ...n.v i H M m@ Q* S m Nw QQ\ N%\ %N\ FJ W n? ,/,l QQ mm. uw N%\J vm. N .ffw QQ QN [Nw NS, Nw L. 6, 2. QQ q u y/n v Q )Sv QW Uf 3 a yoke 19@provided with a transvsrse pin 1132. As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 theyoke 1% at the end oi link 92 is adapted to straddle cam bar 82 and pin162 normally lies at the apex formed by slots S8 and In the relativepositions of the parts as shown in FIG. 3, solenoid S41, pulling up cambar 82 through the medium of link 1114, causes slots 88 to engage pins162 which would prevent any movement of any of the connectors 92. Allcam plates 66 would be locked thereby in their inoperative positions.

To initiate motion of any cam plate 6d, manual means is provided whichconsists of the rods 68 which are slidable in front and rear plates 3Sand 46, respectively', and are adapted to be pushed longitudinally bypush buttons 1116 at their ends where they protrude through plate 3?. Tothis end a collar 12S is provided on each rod 6.2 abutting the collar111i of a locking member 112 pivotally mounted on rod 63 adjacent thebearing edge 7 3 of plate 66. As shown in FIG. 7 depressing button 1%pushes rod 62'5 and its collar 19% to move cam plate ed against theforce of compression springs 113 and 114 about rods 68 and 70respectively for a limited distance at which pin 78 is advanced thelength of the straight portion 76 of the slot in cam plate 66.

This endwise motion of cam plate 66 pushes pin 1%2 over into theinclined slot 911 of cam bar 82 so that upward motion of cam bar 82pulls cam plate 6&5 longitudinally on rods d8 and 7i?, thus causing thegate to open as above described. Upon reversed motion or" cam bar S2compression of spring 113 and spring 114- about rods 68 and 71Brespectively pushes cam plate 66 back until the bottom of straightportion 76 of the slot engages pin 72. Removal of rod 63 is prevented bya collar 116 adjacent push button 1136.

To prevent two push buttons 1616 from being depressed simultaneouslywhich would cause two gates to open at once, an interlock is providedoperable by the gates. To this end each link 92 is provided with acam-shaped flange 120 each adapted to operate the interlock mechanismfor the purpose of blocking movement of each other link 92. Theinterlock is indicated at 122.

Interlock 122 consists of a channel 1212 and cover 126 between which aredisposed a plurality of flat wedgeshaped cam members 12S, onecorresponding to each link 92, and having mating bars 130 interposedbetween them to transfer longitudinal motion and incidentally to extendthe length of the assembly with respect to channel 124 so that the topbar 132 will cause operation of a suitable electric switch 134.

In the normal inoperative position all members 128, 13d and member 132lie within channel 124 so that all are free to move longitudinallythereof. At intervals in the side wall of channel 124 are provided slots136 adjacent each cam 120 whereby the wedge cams 12S are adapted to beengaged. Each wedge cam 128 is in the form of a triangle over arectangle, the rectangular part of the member 128 being normallyopposite a slot 128 in the wall of channel 124 opposite slots 136. Thusin the normal positions of wedge cams 128 any such member can be movedlaterally against the force of suitable leaf spring 14? to protrudethrough its slot 138 but having so moved it is locked in that positionagainst lengthwise motion. All members below are likewise unable to movelongitudinally, which will include member 12S as well as the mating bars131i. Those mating bars 1341 above such an actuated wedge cam 123,however, are movable longitudinally since they have cani faces 142 tocorrespond with cams 123 and on moving longitudinally the remainingwedge cams 123 above, are unable to move laterally since theirrectangular tongues are out of registry with the corresponding slots138. The top mating bar 132 is caused to move longitudinally to actuateswitch 134.

It is thus seen that when one Wedge cam 12S has been actuated laterallyby its corresponding cam 121i, all the 4 remaining wedge cams are unableto act as cams until the rst actuated cam has been restored to itsnormal position.

Thus interlock 122 operates to lock out all but one first actuated gateas well as to operate the electric switch 134 to energize solenoid 84which as above described opens the gate corresponding to the actuatedwedge cam 123 and its associated link bar 92, cam plate 66 and barmember 6l). Link bar 92 is guided in its longitudinal movement by slots151i cut in the rear plate dit.

Member 112 which is journaled as at 1111 on rod 63 is a latch forstopping longitudinal movement of rod 63 when there is no bottle 44within the gate to be engaged by the arcuate member or bar 61D. For thispurpose member 112 is provided with a hook-like projection 152 adaptedto enter a notch 1541; in the forward edge oi member 61B, as showndotted in FIG. 9. The latch is disengaged by a bottle 44 in positionwithin member 61). With no bottle in place the latch effectivelyprevents sliding of the bearing portion 111B due to engagement ot theilange 1118. Thus, the button 1% cannot be depressed to actuate camplate 66.

In order to prevent anyone from rotating the gate member dit by hand,slot of bar 32 is provided with a notch 161i providing a flat face toengage pin 1132 thereby preventing actuation of cam plate 66 in alongitudinal direction.

It is intended that this apparatus shall not be operable until asuitable coin has been inserted in a slot as shown in 162 in the frontof housing 20. The deposit of a coin in a slot is intended to conditiona suitable circuit for the operation of solenoid 84, which may be calledthe vend solenoid, upon operation of switch 134 which will be referredto as the select switch.

Coin operated mechanisms are a well developed art and any suitable formof such mechanism may be ernployed to operate a vend switch 170 (FIG.l2). As Will be understood vend switch 170 is operated by the coinoperated mechanism (not shown) and thereafter when a suitable button1116 is pushed by the operator select switch 134 is closed in mannerabove described. A suitable source of current is provided as indicatedat L1 and L2 in FIG. 12. Closing vend switch 170 closes the circuit fromL1 through vend relay 172, by way of conductor 174 and 176 both leadingto the armature contact 17S. Operation of vend relay 172 closes contacts180 and also closes the contacts associated with armature 178 as shownat 132. Vend relay 172 will remain closed since a circuit is establishedbetween L1, armature and its normally closed contact of delay relay 184and by way of contacts 182 of the vend relay and the winding of relay172 to L2. Additionally, vend relay by closing of the contacts atestablishes a circuit including select switch 134 and vend solenoid 84by way of contacts 189 and the normally closed armature and its contactof the delay relay 134, and thence to the other side of the line L1.Thus upon closing of select switch 134, solenoid 84 energizes the gateactuator 80 in the manner above described.

As long as a button 166 remains pushed the vend solenoid S4 tends tostay actuated but this is avoided after a suitable delay by the use ofthe delay relay 14 shunted across vend solenoid S4. After a suitabledelay within the control of the delay relay design that relay operatesto open contact of its armature and its contact thus opening all of thecircuits including that of vend relay 172 and vend solenoid 84. Theapparatus is restored to its normal condition awaiting the insertion ofanother coin.

As has been said above, this apparatus is intended t0 handle bottles ofvarious sizes. For bottles of smaller diameter, the inclined shelves orchutes are adjustable vertically for this purpose, as indicated in FIG.4, by suitable adjusting knobs 190. In this connection, gauge pins 192are utilized in conjunction with the adjusting knobs 19t) and project tothe rear from the front plate 38.

When the base of a bottle is placed under a pin 192, the proper shelfheight is obtained when the adjusting knob 19t) is turned until the pin192 touches the highest point of the bottle diameter. A split pin 194 isinitially pulled from the adjusting knob 190 to enable the knob to berotated to raise or lower the shelf, as the case may be, until the gaugepin 192 makes the desired contact with the highest point. Each of theshelves 42 may include downwardly depending tongues 198 and 199 alongperipheral side edges. These tongues 198 and 199 are formed,respectively, with slots 200 and 261 which embrace the shaft or rod 195and permit the relative displacement of the associated shelf 42. Undersuch circumstances, the adjusting knob 190 is mounted on shaft 195,which also serves to support a pair of eccentrics 196 and 197 which, inturn, support the associated shelf end. The split pin 194 is theninserted through the holes in the adjusting knob 19t) and front plate 3Sto maintain the desired adjustment.

It will be obvious that any number of such chutes 42 may be providedwithin reason. It is also to be understood that this apparatus can beused to vend canned material such as beer or with obvious modificationspackaged material of other descriptions and form.

Thus, by the above construction are accomplished, among others, theobjects hereinbefore referred to.

I claim:

l. Vending mechanism for containers comprising: a housing; a pluralityof normally-empty receivers for vended containers accessible throughopen dispensing apertures in said housing to permit free removaltherefrom; a chute corresponding to each receiver for conveying saidcontainers to position adjacent said receivers; a gate for each chute tonormally retain said containers in said chutes and away from saidreceivers and to release them singly to said receivers; a gate actuatorcommon to all of said gates for operating selected gates individually; aseries of actuating members, one for each gate, to control saidactuator; and an interlock operable by each of said members to stopsimultaneous operation of said members and to actuate the said actuator.

2. Vending mechanism for containers comprising: a housing; a pluralityof normally-empty receivers for vended containers accessible throughopen dispensing apertures in said housing to permit free removaltherefrom; a chute corresponding to each receiver for conveying saidcontainers to position adjacent said receivers; a swingable gate foreach chute to normally retain said containers in said chutes and awayfrom said receivers and to release them singly to said receivers andhaving a cam associated therewith for effecting such gate swinging; anactuator for the cams common to all of said gates for operating selectedgates individually; a series of actuating members, one for each gate, tocontrol said actuator; and an interlock operable by each of said membersto stop simultaneous operation of said members and to actuate the saidactuator.

3. Vending mechanism for containers comprising: a housing; a pluralityof receivers for vended containers accessible through said housing topermit free removal therefrom; a chute corresponding to each receiverfor conveyinU said containers to position adjacent said receivers; aswingable gate for each chute to retain said containers in said chutesand to release them singly to said receivers and having a pivotedcontainer engaging portion and a cam cooperative therewith to effectsuch swinging; a connector link affixed to each cam; a gate actuatorcommon to all of said gates engageable with the connector links tooperate and lock individual connector links and gates selectively; a camactuating member for each gate to initiate operation of said cam to movethe connector links into position to be operated by said actuator; andan interlock operable by each of the connector links to stopsimultaneous operation of said members and to actuate the said gateactuator.

4. Vending mechanism for containers comprising: a

housing; a plurality of .recei ers for vended containers accessiblethrough said housing to permit free removal therefrom; a chutecorresponding to each receiver for conveying said containers to positionadjacent said receivers; a swingable gate for each chute to retain saidcontainers in said chutes and to release them singly to Said receiversand having a pivoted container engaging portion; a series of cams, eachone of which is cooperative with a gate to edect such swinging; aconnector link aixed to each cam; a gate actuator common to all of saidgates for operating selected gates individually including a power movedmember having cam slots and locking slots for engaging the connectorlinks selectively; a cam actuating member for each gate to initiateoperation of said cam to move each connector link into position to beengaged by one of said cam slots; and an interlock operable by each oithe connector links to stop simultaneous operation of said members andto actuate the said power moved member such that a selected connectorlink corresponding to a selected cam actuating member is engaged by oneof said locking slots thereby to activate the corresponding cam toeliect the swinging movement o f the gate associated therewith.

5. Vending mechanism for containers comprising: a housing; a pluralityof receivers for vended containers accessible through said housing topermit free removal therefrom; a chute corresponding to each receiverfor conveying said containers to position adjacent said reecivers; agate for each chute having an arcuate portion to embrace a container andcentrally pivoted to swing to a position for releasing a given containerand for blocking the advance of succeeding containers; a cam for eachgate for effecting such swinging; a connector link aiixed to each cam; agate actuator common to all of said gates engageable with the connectorlinks to operate and lock individual connector links and gatesselectively; a cam actuating member for each gate to initiate operationof its corresponding cam to move the associated connector link intoposition to be operated by said actuator; and an interlock operable byeach of the connector links to stop simultaneous operation of saidmembers and to actuate the said gate actuator.

6. Vending mechanism for containers comprising a rack for receiving avended container, a chute directed at the rack and adapted to feedcontainers thereto, a container engaging member at an end of said chutepivotally mounted to disengage such container and to bar the succeedingcontainer, a cam transversely slidable with respect to said chute andmounted adjacent said member, a cam follower on said container engagingmember and cooperative with said cam to be moved thereby in order topivot the said container engaging member, means to actuate said cam andarranged to be set in operation thereby7 a cam actuating member totransmit limited motion to said cam to initiate operation of said means,whereby the said cam is actuated for additional motion, and an enclosinghousing for all of the preceding elements and having an opening adjacentsaid rack to provide access thereto for container removal.

7. Vending mechanism for containers comprising a rack for receiving avended container, a chute directed at the rack and adapted to feedcontainers thereto, a container engaging member at an end of said chutepivotally mounted to disengage such container and bar the succeedingcontainer, a pair of rods extending across said chute adjacent saidmember, a cam transversely slidable on said rods and spring biased toits normal inoperative position, a cam follower on said membercooperative with said cam to effect rotational movement or" said member,means to actuate said cam and arranged to be set in operation thereby,one of said rods being manually movable and engageable with said cam totransmit limited motion thereto to initiate operatori of said means, andan enclosing housing for all of the preceding elements and having anopening adjacent said rack to provide access thereto for containerremoval.

8. Vending mechanism for containers comprising a rack for receiving avended container, a chute directed at the rack and adapted to feedcontainers thereto, a container engaging member at an end of said chutepivotally mounted to disengage such container and to bar the succeedingcontainer, a cam transversely slidable with respect to said chute andmounted adjacent said member, a cam follower on said container engagingmember and cooperative with said cam to be moved thereby, in order topivot the said container engaging member, a locking element mounted onsaid cam and engageable with said member to prevent relative movementtherebetween, said locking element being adapted to be disengaged fromsaid member by Contact with a container engaged by said member, means toactuate said cam and arranged to be set in operation thereby, a camactuating member to transmit limited motion to said cam to initiate theoperation of said means, whereby the said cam is actuated for additionalmotion, and an enclosing housing for all of the preceding elements andhaving an opening adjacent said rack to provide access thereto forcontainer removal.

9, Vending mechanism for containers comprising a rack for receiving avended container, a chute directed at the rack and adapted to feedcontainers thereto, a container engaging member at an end of said chutepivotally mounted to disengage such container and bar the succeedingcontainer, a pair of rods extending across said chute adjacent saidmember, a cam transversely slidable on said rods and spring biased to anormal inoperative position, a cam follower on said member cooperativewith said cam to eect rotational movement of said member, a lockingelement mounted on said rod and engageable With said member to preventrelative movement therebetween, said locking element being adapted to bedisengaged from said member by contact with a container engaged by saidmember, means to actuate said cam and arranged to be set in operationthereby, one of said rods being manually movable and engageable withsaid cam to transmit limited motion thereto to initiate operation ofsaid means, and an enclosing housing for all of the preceding elementsand having an opening adjacent said rack to provide access thereto forcontainer removal.

10. Vending mechanism for containers comprising: a housing; a pluralityof receivers for vended containers accessible through said housing topermit free removal therefrom; a chute corresponding to each receiverfor conveying said containers to position adjacent said receivers; agate for each chute to retain said containers in said chutes and torelease them singly to said receivers; a gate actuator common to all ofsaid gates for operating selected gates individually; a manuallyoperable member for each gate to control said actuator; an interlock 3operable by each of said gates to stop simultaneous operation of saidmembers; an actuating link for each gate movable by said manuallyoperable member to engaging position by said actuator; said interlockhaving corresponding members interposed to block every other said linkand its corresponding manual member against actuation; an electricswitch closable by said interposed actuated member; and electric meanscontrolled by said switch to set said actuator in motion.

11. Vending mechanism comprising: a housing; a plurality of receiversfor vended containers accessible through said housing to permit freeremoval therefrom; a chute corresponding to each receiver for conveyingsaid containers to position adjacent said receivers; a gate for eachchute to retain said containers in said chutes and to release themsingly to said receivers; a gate actuator common to all of said gates; amanually operable member for each gate to control said actuator; aninterlock operable by each of said gates to stop simultaneous operationof said members; electric motive means for said actuator; a switch forsaid motive means controlled by said manual member; and an electriccircuit including said motive means, said switch, and a source ofcurrent, and a time delay device in series with said current source tointerrupt said circuit.

12. Vending mechanism for containers comprising: a housing; a pluralityof receivers for vended containers accessible through said housing topermit free removal therefrom; a chute corresponding to each receiverfor conveying said containers to position adjacent said receivers; agate for each chute to retain said containers in said chutes and torelease them singly to said receivers; a gate actuator common to all ofsaid gates; a manually operable member for each gate to control saidactuator; an interlock operable by each of said gates to stopsimultaneous operation of said members and to actuate the said actuator;and means operatively connected to each of the chutes for adjustment ofthe chutes to correspond to the size of the containers so that thecontainers are substantially embraced While on the chutes.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,302,166 Anthony Nov. 17, 1942 2,316,897 Smith Apr. 20, 1943 2,727,654Childers et al. Dec. 20, 1955 2,875,922 Hsu et al Mar. 3, 1959 FOREIGNPATENTS 366,607 Great Britain Feb. 11, 1932

1. VENDING MECHANISM FOR CONTAINERS COMPRISING: A HOUSING; A PLURALITYOF NORMALLY-EMPTY RECEIVERS FOR VENDED CONTAINERS ACCESSIBLE THROUGHOPEN DISPENSING APERTURES IN SAID HOUSING TO PERMIT FREE REMOVALTHEREFROM; A CHUTE CORRESPONDING TO EACH RECEIVER FOR CONVEYING SAIDCONTAINERS TO POSITION ADJACENT SAID RECEIVERS; A GATE FOR EACH CHUTE TONORMALLY RETAIN SAID CONTAINERS IN SAID CHUTES AND AWAY FROM SAIDRECEIVERS AND TO RELEASE THEM SINGLY TO SAID RECEIVERS; A GATE ACTUATORCOMMON TO ALL OF SAID GATES FOR OPERATING SELECTED GATES INDIVIDUALLY; ASERIES OF ACTUATING MEMBERS, ONE FOR EACH GATE, TO CONTROL SAIDACTUATOR; AND AN INTERLOCK OPERABLE BY EACH OF SAID MEMBERS TO STOPSIMULTANEOUS OPERATION OF SAID MEMBERS AND TO ACTUATE THE SAID ACTUATOR.